Press

News Serv⁠i⁠ce of Flor⁠i⁠da: ON TAP IN THE CAPITAL: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014

By: The James Madison Institute / 2014

Press

2014

BUDGET CONFERENCES CONTINUE: Conference committees will continue negotiating details of the fiscal 2014-15 budget. Conferences scheduled for the morning include the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Health and Human Service Appropriations Subcommittee at 8 a.m. in 212 Knott Building. The House and Senate education appropriations subcommittees will meet at 8:30 a.m. in Morris Hall in the House Office Building. Also, the House Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee are scheduled to meet at 9:30 a.m. in 404 House Office Building.SENATE DEMOCRATS TO MEET: The Senate Democratic caucus will meet. (9 a.m., 200 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)JUVENILE SENTENCING, SPEED LIMITS, GUN ISSUES UP IN SENATE: The Senate will hold a floor session and could approve a proposal (HB 7035) that would revamp laws dealing with juvenile sentencing in cases that involve murders or other serious felonies. Also, the Senate will begin debating a proposal (SB 392), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, that could allow speed limits to go as high as 75 mph on some highways. Senators also are expected to take up two proposals backed by gun-rights advocates. One of the measures (SB 1060), filed by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, would prevent schoolchildren from being disciplined for simulating guns while playing or for wearing clothes that depict firearms or express opinions about Second Amendment rights. Another bill (SB 544), filed by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, would allow county tax collectors to accept applications for concealed-weapon licenses. Senators also are slated to work on some health-care measures, including a proposal (SB 1150), filed by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, aimed at boosting “medical tourism.” (10 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)HOUSE IN SESSION: The House will hold a floor session and likely will approve a bill (SB 224) that would bar the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors. It also is expected to approve a bill (SB 670) that would place additional restrictions on lawsuits filed against nursing homes by injured residents or the residents’ family members. Meanwhile, another bill (HB 1017) slated for a vote is aimed at curbing human trafficking. (10:30 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)Also:BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND MANAGED CARE DISCUSSED: The Agency for Health Care Administration will host a workshop and a meeting that will include managed-care plans, behavioral-health providers, assisted-living facility administrators and other parties. The back-to-back sessions will relate to behavioral health services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries. The workshop will focus on those services provided in ALFs. (Workshop starts at 8:30 a.m., meeting follows at 12:30 p.m., Access Behavioral Health, The Andrews Institute, 1020 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze.)HD 44 RESULTS TO BE CERTIFIED: The state Elections Canvassing Commission will meet to certify the results of an April 8 special election in House District 44. Republican Eric Eisnaugle won the election to replace former Rep. Steve Precourt, R-Orlando. (9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS DISCUSSED: Sen. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Royal Palm Beach, and Rep. Lake Ray, R-Jacksonville, will take part in a news conference to discuss anti-corruption efforts of local ethics commissions. (9:30 a.m., fourth floor, in front of the Senate chamber, the Capitol.)VENEZUELA AT ISSUE: Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, and Rep. Jeanette Nunez, R-Miami, are expected to take part in a news conference to show support for Venezuelan activists and the efforts to bring about changes in Venezuela. (10 a.m., fourth floor, in front of the House chambers, the Capitol.)SCOTT ANNOUNCES CRIME STATS: Gov. Rick Scott will announce details of the 2013 annual uniform crime report. (10:30 a.m., Florida Department of Law Enforcement Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center, 4211 North Lois Ave., Tampa.)NELSON TO APPEAR IN DAYTONA BEACH: U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., is expected to speak at a lunch forum sponsored by Florida Hospital and Bethune-Cookman University. (11:45 a.m., Ocean Center, 101 North Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach.)SCOTT TO MEET WITH CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATORS: Gov. Rick Scott will travel to Orlando and meet with Florida Department and Children and Families child-protective investigators. (1:30 p.m., Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families, 601 West Michigan St., Orlando.)HENDRIX EXECUTION: Death Row inmate Robert E. Hendrix is scheduled to be executed in the 1990 murders of a Lake County husband and wife. Hendrix, now 47, was convicted in the shooting and stabbing deaths of Elmer Scott Jr. and Michelle Scott. Hendrix went to the Scotts’ home because he feared Elmer Scott, who was his cousin, would testify against him in an unrelated case. (6 p.m., Florida State Prison, near Starke.)RICH TO RAISE MONEY IN BROWARD: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nan Rich is expected to raise money at an event in Broward County. (6 p.m., Dapur Restaurant, 1640 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale.)GAETZ, WEATHERFORD AT JAMES MADISON EVENT: Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, are expected to take part in the James Madison Institute annual dinner. (7 p.m., Turnbull Conference Center, Florida State University, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)